Method and machine for making saddle staples



Oct. 3l, 1933. e. E. RYAN KETHODANDiMAGHI-NE FOR MAKING SADDLE STAPLES Filed Dec. 6, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet. l

oct. 3l, 1933. Q E RYAN METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING SADDLE STAPLES Filed Dec. 6, 1952 6 Sheets-Shee(l 2 oct. 31, 1933. D G. E. RYAN 1,933,152

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING SADDLE STAPLES Filed Dec. 6. 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Tij /m 54 n frwenor.

m f- Rf 19M j@ la oct. 31, 1933. G E ,MN I 1,933,152

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING SADDLE STAPLES Filed Dec. 6, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 31, 1933. G. E. RYAN 1,933,152

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING SADDLE STAPLES Filed Deo. 6, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,QT ll/m ,e s

Oct. 3l, 1933. G. E. RYAN Filed Dec. 6, 1952 6 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING SADDLE STAPLES Sheets-Sheet 6 MLC-RV' Patented Oct. 31, 1933 METHoD AND y SADDLE STAPLESv George E; Ryan', Fitchburg, Mass., assigner to Superior Manufacturing iCompany, Fitchburg, Mass.,'a corporation of Massachusetts'.

- Applicazionneember' e, k1932. serialno. 645,923

56 Claims. (Cl. 59-77) This invention relates to the manufacture of insulated, or saddle, staples, which staplespass through and carry strips of. insulatingmaterial, as fibre, at their upper ends, which are folded in such manner as to provide insulating channels between the prongs of the staples, in which channels electric conductors` and the like are adapted to be received, and also to form bridges or saddles which span the` conductors or the like and prey operating regionsof the rolls o f the first and sec- 35,1

j/ent the staple from being vdriven home so far as to crush the conductors.

One of the objects of the present invention is a method and machine for making insulated staples automatically in a more rapid manner than l5 heretofore.

A further object of the invention` is in the provision of a machine for inserting staples in a` successive manner intoand along the length of a folded and otherwise prepared continuous insulating strip and subsequently severing the staple-containing strip between the'staples.

Anotherobject is in the provision yof a machine for making insulated staples wherein a continuous length ci an insulating strip or Aweb ispartiaily severed into staple sections, is perforated to receive the staples, folded into shape and has the* staples inserted therein, and thenr has the separate sections severed from the web.4

A further object is generally to improve upon staple making machines and methods.

Heretofore, in the manufacture of insulated saddle staples, saddle sections have been cut 01T from a flat web, formed into saddle shape, and

had the staples inserted therein, or else the sections have been severed from the web during the act of inserting of the staple, theI simultaneousness of the severing and staple-inserting operations being necessary forforming the section into proper shape. in accordance with, the present invention, the saddle section is completely formed into saddle shape and the staple is completely inserted therein prior to the severance of the secv tion from the web, whereby the insulating secelements of the machine of Fig. 1 and their func-` tions.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the web slitting and perv Y ancewiththe present invention is illustrated iii-:11.0

-fcrating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail ofthe web perforatf. ing mechanism taken along line 4 4 of Fig.; 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional'elevation of the web driving rolls takenalcng line 5 -5-of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is-a section through the first web fold` 60v ing Vrolls taken alongA line 6&6 of; Fig. 1.

Fig. 'lis a sectional detail through the'second set of folding rolls taken along line 7;-7 of Fig. 1. Figs'. 8 and9 are enlargeddetails of the co 0nd sets respectively and illustrating thenature of the folds imparted tothe web thereby. v

Fig. i0 is a sectional detail taken along line lll-40 of Fig. 1. y a n Fig. 11 is a sectional detail throughthe third 70 setof folding rollsyand also throughthe staple rdriving mechanism, taken along line llfllofA ligl.v f

- Fig.4 l2 isa sectionalelevation taken along line 12' 12of.Fig..1. I f ,2,75

Fig. 13;isfan enlarged detail ofthe vstaple posi- Vtioning and driving mechanism.

Fig. 14 is an elevation of theentranceuendY of-Y z the machine.

Fig. l5lis an endV elevation of the delivery end o 90 the machine... f a

Fig. 16 V`is an. enlargedsectional detail 'of thel mechanism for Aoperating the severing knife taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 15.v 1 f Fig. 17 is a plan detail of a portion ofthe -35 i.v'eb.V of vinsulating material and illustrating the first operation thereon, namely, that of slitting.

the web between thereof.

Fig. l8.is a view similar to Fig;v 1'7,.but illustrat-` 90- ing .the second operation on the web, name1y, ,th e perforatingiof the saddle sections to receive the` staple. g l y Fig. 19 is a perspective detail of a section of the web showing the results of the third operation thereon, namely, the first folding operation.

Fig; 20 vis a perspective detail of afportion of the web and illustratingthe second folding; operation.

Fig. 21 isA a perspective detail of the third fold- 100 ing operation, which forms the completely folded web. f Y

Fig.V 22 is a perspective detail of a section of the folded web with a series of staples inserted individual saddle sections n A f '105 Fig. 23 Ais a perspective Ydetail of acompleted insulatedsaddle staple which is a product .of ythe,

machine ofthe present invention. v Y

The insulated saddle Astaple madein accc'ndfy Fig. 23 and is composed of a length of wire of either round or rectangular cross section reflexed into U form to provide the spaced parallel prongs and the top connecting member or head 32. The ends of the prongs have, usually, oppositely inclined faces 34 that provide the prongs with sharp points. The staple is provided with an insulated saddle by a section or strip 36 of relatively stiff insulating material as libre or the like which has a pair of perforations 38 in each end through whichvthe prongs of the staple are passed and which is folded in such manner as to provide a middle channel 40 between the prongs and under the head 32, and the outside channels 41 on opposite sides of the middle channel and through which the prongs pass, the ends of the strip confronting each other under the head 32 and being superposed on the web that forms the bottom of the middle channel.

The present machine has provision for forming the insulating strips into saddle shape and for inserting the staples therein while the successive strips are integral with each other and for subsequently severing the connection between the formed strips. In the present machine the saddles are formed from a long or continuous web of insulating material, the staples, preformed by processes independent of this invention, are in- 4 serted in succession in the prepared and folded web, and the individual saddle staples are then severed from the stapled web.

The machine comprises a flat base or bed 42 adapted to` support the various operating units Yand having a longitudinal groove 44 therein, see valso Fig. 11, adapted to receive tongues 46 of the base or brackets of the various units and hold them inlongitudinal alignment while permitting themto be adjusted longitudinally toward and away from each other to coordinate their operations upon the web.. The base 42 is provided with a drive shaft 48 which extends longitudinally of the machine and is commento all of thevarious units. A web' of insulating .material 50,` see especially Fig.2, is taken from a roll 5,2'and is passed in succession through, and is continuous, between the various units and also iscontinuous after the Astaples have been inserted therein. The first operation on the web is to partially sever the web into saddle sections by providingthe web with separate rows of longitudinally spaced Ytransverse slits 54, see Figs. 2 and 17, located adjacent the side edges of the web, the spacing between consecutive slits being equal tothe width of a Asaddle 36 and the transverse extent of the'slits being such that when the web is folded into'saddle shape the slits will lie in the down turned portions of the strip, as illustrated in Figs. 21 and 22, and the unslitted portion of the web will form the Rweb for the bottom of the middle channel of the saddle. The purpose of rslitting the web as thus described is to facilitate the final severing operation. The slitted web is then provided with repetitions of two aligned pairs of perforations 38, see Fig. 18, which lie in the rows of slits and --between consecutive slits and each pair of which is adapted to receive a separate prong of the staple. The slitting and perforating apparatus is'illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 14. The 1nsulating web 50, which is of suitable width to be #folded into saddleshape without the necessity for trimming or cutting, is drawn from the roll 52 and is'passed over an anvil 58 and under a roller 60. Said anvil is carried by the horizontal shelf 62 of a bracket 64 secured to the'base 42 and said lanisms and also to compensate for slight variation in width of successive webs. The web passes fromthe guide blocks 72 over the top face of a block 76 which forms a stationary knife and cooperates lwith a slitting knife 78 of the slitting mechanism. Said slitting knife v78, see especially Fig. 2,'is provided'with a notch 80 in its cutting edge which notch is of suiiicient extent to leave an unslitted section of suitable short length of the webbetween the aligned confronting slits in each row thereof. The length of the cutting edge of the knife` is such, and the knife is so positioned, as to leave unslit marginal portions of the web at the outside edges of the rows of slits. The lengths of the slits preferably are adapted to be such vas to traverse all of the down-turned Asides or legs of the saddle, so that only the top are disposed on opposite sides of the .web and are guided for vertical reciprocatory movement in the shelf 62 and also in the bosses 88 of the bracket 64. A second cross bar 90 is secured to said guide rods 86 beneath said shelf 62 and is connected through a bolt 92 and an eccentric bushing 94 thereon with the upper end of an eccentric strap 96 the lower or large end of which I encircles an eccentric 98 fixed to and rotatable with the drive shaft 48. With this arrangement the guide rods 86 and the slitting knife 78 are caused to reciprocate by the rotation of the drive shaft. The depth of the cut of the slittingr knife can be adjusted by suitable adjustment of the eccentric bushing 94. The present machine employs several similar eccentric straps for operating its reciprocatory mechanism and all are or may be adjustable by similar eccentric bushings 94.

At times the slitting knife may leave a bur or lip on the underside of the web at the edges of the slits and these burs may catch on the edge of the stationary knife and hinder the free advance of the web. To prevent this possible catching cf the weba bar 100 is disposed in. front w of the stationary knifeV and under the path of movement of the web and mounted at its ends on guide rods 102 and urged toward an elevated position by springs 104 which encircle said rods. With this arrangement the pressure of the slitting knife 78 on the web forces the bar 100 down sufficiently to permit the web to engage the top face of the stationary knife 96 and thus to allow the slits to be formed. When the slitting knife is elevated, however, the springs 16d serve to raise the bar 100 and the web thereon suiiiciently to 'lift the web and any bursl that may be on the underside thereof above the top or" the stationary knife and thereby permit theweb to be advanced without hindrance from such burs.

4 advancing rolls and toward the first folding rolls The` web advances between the guide rods 86 te a position over a female die 106,seeespecially Figs'. 1 and 4, where' the perforatlons 38 `are fr'fhedin the web.y The cross head 84 has a niale die 108 secured thereto by screws 110; and said ni'ale die has two pairs of perforating pins 112 which pass through perforations of a stripper plate 114 and enter corresponding passages 116 ci the feinale die.

It will be understood that the web is advanced in an intermittent or step by step manner and that the slitting and perforating operations just described and the staple inserting and severing opefetionsV subsequently to be described are performed when the web is stationary.

The perforated web passes into the bite of upper and lower feed rolls 118 and l20resp`ectively,

see Figs. 1,- 2 and. 5, which rolls constitute the l to exert a driving effect upon the web their ac-V tion is subordinate `to the action of the rolls 118.

and 120 so that said web is advanced by amounts that are governed entirely by said rolls 118 and 120. Said lower roll 120 is to a'shaft 122 journalled in opstanding brackets 124 carried by the base 42. The upper roll 118 is fixed to a shaft 126 which is journalled in bearing blocks `128 that are guided for vertical movement between upstanding 'ears 18C- of lsaid bra vats 124 and are urged upwardly by compression springs serving merely to raise the roll 118 from engagement with the web whenr the bearing blocks are free for upward movement. Said bearing blocks are urged in a downward direc'- tion by s'crewsl34 screw-threaded in cross bars 136 overlying and fixe toV the upper ends of said ears 130. of said bearing blocks and thus serve to force the upper roll 118 into a Erni non-slipping driving 'engagement with the web on the lower roll 120. nterrneshing spur gears 138 and 140 are xed to the shafts 126 and 122, respectively,` and ti driving faces of their respective upper and lower rolls 118 and 12C- so 'that said rolls are caused t'o rotate po Jelv at the same peripheral speed. The rolls b...e al.. tent manner as will be presently explained.

The paper web is guided through said web advancing rolls and into the bite of the first folding rolls by sepa-rage but confronting guide plates 1:42 and 144, see Figs. 1 and 5, which plates are secured respectively to stud shafts 146 and 148 that are independently angularly adjustablysecured in pinch bearings 150 and 152 of the brackets 124 so that said guide plates can be raisedor lowered to position them as desired.

The guide plates also are adjustable toward and `way from each other 'to compensate for small variations in width of successive webs. The guide plates have confronting recesses 154 and 156 in which the engaging peripheral portions of the web advancing rolls 118 and 120 kare located.

Said plates also have confronting.longitudinally extended slots or guideways 158 along which the web advances. Vertical plates 160 and 1'62 are secured to Aone of the confronting faces ofone of said plates, as thel plate 154, and overlie opposite sides of the path of travel of the web and are loosely received respectively in peripheral grooves 164 and 166 of said web advancing rolls 118 land 1-20. Said plates serve to 4maintain the web yhorizontal yasit passes 'into Iand out of said springs 132. said screws 134 bear upon the tops` pitch diameters equal to the diameters of f fanced in an intermit' and thereby prevents the web from any tendencyy to buckle 'it advances under the drive of said rol-ls.

Theweb is folded into the shape illustrated in Fig. 19 by folding rolls, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 8. Eachr folding roll comprises driven and idler sections, said rolls being carried by the upper and lower shafts 168 and 170 respectively;

- the lower shaft'being journalled in bearings in opposed side plates 172 of ,a supporting frame 17,4 fixed tothe base 42. The-upper shaft 168 is journalledin the opposite arms 176 of a U shaped frame 178, the `arms of which are pivotally. mounted on a cross shaft 180 extended between and carried by the side plates 172 of saidbracket 174. The upper shaft is urged toward the lower shaft by compression springs 182, one of which is shown in Fig. l, which springs bear against said frame 178 and also on nuts 184 screw-threaded adjustably on rods 186 carried by the side plates 172. The lower roll comprises a. pair f sleeves 18B which are keyed to but are'axiall'y adjustable on said shaft 170 and are disposed on opposite sides of a radially` outstanding disc` or flange 190 llwhich is keyed to and isaxially adjust-able on said shaft andhas a width which` is equal to the Width of the recess 40 of the insulated saddle, see Fig.v 23. The sleeves 188 have outstanding end flanges 192 which confront collars 194 adjustably Vscrew-threaded on the shaft and adapted to hold the sleeves and disc 190 in the center line of the web. Sleeves 196 are loose on the sleeves 188y and are disposed on opposite sides of the disc or flange 190 and have counter-sunk peripheral portions 198 which' confront said flange and are adapted to form clearance spaces into which the foldsk of the web may pass without necessarily engaging the sleeves. Saidsleeves 196, however, are freely rotatable so that they can be 'driven by the web. The upper roll comprises a pair of sleeves 200 whichare keyed to and are axially adjustable on the upper shaft 168V on opposite sides of a radial *outstanding disc or flange 202 that is disposed in the plane of the flange 190 and is adapted to engage` the web on said flange 190. Sleeves 204 are freely rotatable on the sleeves 200 on opposite sides of the flange 202 and are retained against axial displacement between end flanges 206 of the sleeves V200 and confront adjustably screw-threaded collars 208 on theshaft 168. The sleeves 204 are provided with outstanding peripheral ribs 210 which are of `greater diameter 'than the diameter of the flange 202 and are spaced axially away from said flange and fromY the cooperating flange 190 by a distance that preferably is somewhat greater than the thickness of .tlie'web, asis illustrated in Fig. 8. The ribs 210 are provided with conical faces 212 onthe sides away from 'the flange 202, the inclination of said faces corresponding to the inclination imparted tothe marginal portions of the web in passing through the rolls. In the passage of the web through the rolls the web is engaged between the flanges 202 and along the median line thereof.. The

ribs'210 engage 'the web on opposite sides of said K CII `ilange 228 190 are positively driven at the same peripheral speed by intermeshing gears 214 and 216 which are fixed respectively to the upper and llower shafts and have pitch diameters equal to the diameters of said flanges. The upper and lower shafts are positively driven as will be explained hereinafter, but the driving effect of said flanges 202 and 190 on the web is adapted to be less than that of the driving rolls 118 and 120 and said flanges preferably are adapted to advance the web at a slightly greater rate than said driving rolls and to slip the difference so that the advance of the web is controlled by the web advancing rolls. Due to the fold of the web in passing through the first set of folding rolls the web engages the loose sleeves at different diameters thereof and hence said sleeves are arranged to be freely rotatable so as to rotate idly without influencing the advance of the web.

The web is guided in its advance from the iirst set of folding rollers to the second set of folding rollers by a guide comprising an upstanding rib 218, see Figs. 1 and 10, which rib enters the longitudinal groove or channel of the partially folded web and holds it against transverse displacement. A guide plate 22) is secured to said rib and overlies the top of the web and thus holds it on the rib.

The second set of folding rollers are constructed substantially like the first set, except that their configuration is changed to fold the web from the configuration of Fig. 19 to that of Fig. 20.` The second set of upper and lower folding rollers in-.

cludes the upper shaft 222 and the lower shaft 224, see Figs. 1 and 7. The lowerfolding roller includes sleeves 226 which are ilse-d on the lower shaft 224 for conjoint rotation therewith but arev axially adjustable thereon and are positioned on opposite sides of a radially outstanding disc Vor that is keyed to and is axially adjustable on'the shaft. Said sleeves and disc are secured in axially adjusted positions on said shaft by collars 232 that are screw-threaded on said shaft. Sleeves 234 are freely rotatable on said sleeves 226 on opposite sides of said flange 228 and said sleeves have radiallyoutstanding peripheral flanges 236 which are disposed on opposite sides of and are spaced axially from the flange 228 and provide channels therebetween in which the material of the web is folded. The upper roll comprises sleeves 238 that .are mounted for axial adjustment along and for conjoint rotation Y with the upper shaft 222 in a manner similar to the lower roll. Said sleeves are disposed on opposite sides of a radially outstanding peripheral flange or disc 24', similar to the flange 228, that is disposed in line with and cooperates with the flange 228 of the lower roll in engaging the web. Sleeves 242 are freely rotatably mounted on sair sleeves l238 on opposite sides of the flange 240 and are provided with lradially outstanding peripheral flanges-244 at their inner ends and adjacent and on opposite sides of the flange 140 and are adapted to rotate'within and spaced from the channels between the flanges of the lower roll as is most clearly indicated in Fig. 9. It will be apparent that as the web advances, the middle portion of the web is engaged by the driving flanges 228 and 246 and that the marginal portions of the web are folded by the flanges 244 into the annular grooves of the lower roll; and the arrangement is such that the marginal portions are folded substantially at right angles to the medial portion of the web, or as is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 20;

The lowervs'haft 224 is journalled in the previously mentioned side plates 172 of the bracket 174. The upper shaft 222 is journalled in the paralled'arms 246 of a U-shaped frame 248, the arms of which are pivotally supported on the pivotshaft 180, see Fig. l0. The upper roll is urged toward the lower roll by compression springs 250 thatl bear against said frame and also against nuts 252 that are adjustably screwthreaded on rods 254 carried by said bracket 174. The upper and lower shafts are connected for positive rotation by intermeshing spur gears 256 and 258 which are xed in the ends of said shafts and have pitch diameters equal to the diameters of .said flanges 240 and 228 so that said flanges rotate at the same peripheral speed, which speed preferably'is slightly greater than the speed of advance of the web, so that the flanges slip slightly on the web.

The web passes from the second set of folding rolls into a track 259 having a guide rib 260 which enters the channel 40 of the folded web, the track having channels which receive the folded marginal portions of the web, see Fig. 2a, and the web being held therein by means including a roller 261 which overlies the track. The web in Ythe track advances between a pair of cooperating folding rolls 262 and 264, see Figs. 1, 2a, and il, which rolls hold the upstanding marginal portions of the web inwardly into horizontal position in confronting relation with each other on top of the intermediate section of the web as is illustrated in Fig. 21. Said rolls are horizontally disposed on opposite sides of'said guide rib 268 and are supported by vertical shafts 266 and 268 respectively which are journalled in a top plate 276 of the bracket 174. Said rolls 262 and 264 are preferably idler rolls and are not positively driven except-that they are adapted to rotate in engagement with the paper web and by the advancing movements thereof. For this purpose said rolls can ce loose on their supporting shafts in an obvious manner or they can be fixed thereto and said shafts'arranged to rotate freely. Under seine circumstances, however, it might be found advantageous to drive said rolls positively. For this purpose, said shafts can be extended downwardly and provided with bevel gears 272 at .their lower ends as indicated in the dotted lines Fig. 11. Said gears are in mesh with cooperating bevel gears 274 fixed to a shaft 276 which is journalled in the side plates 172 of said bracket 174 and is driven positively in a manner to be explained later. Said rolls 262 and 264 have upper and lower radially outstanding flanges 278 and 280 which deine between them grooves in which portions of the folded web are received and retained during the folding operation. The lower flanges 230 are adapted to be located under the folds of the web that lie on opposite sides of the median line thereof to support the folds against displacement during the final folding operation and the upper flanges 278 are adapted. to engage` the vertically upstanding marginal portions of the web and fold them over into a horizontal position with their ends confronting and on top of the middle portion of the web to provide a cross sectional shape as illustrated in Fig. 21, the folding operation being effected by the wiping-in of the marginal portions of the web during the advance thereof.

The staples are inserted in the completely folded web on the rib' 260 immediately afterthe completely folded portion of the web is advanced from the last set of folding rolls and preferably while the web is close enough to said rolls to be retained in folded'position thereby. The staple driving mechanism includes a horizontalrshaft 282 which is rotatablyV supportedin a bearing bracket 284 of said bracket 174 somewhat inadvanoe of the vertical plane through the axis of said folding rolls 262 andv264.^ Said shaft has a hub286 .dxedrtheretothat is provided with a radial staple-carrying plate 288 that hasffour right angularly related radial grooves or slots 290 in its front face, see especially Fig. 13, that extend inwardly from the periphery of the plate and are adapted tolreceive one of the prongs of the staples. Said shaft 282 extends forwardly beyond the plate 288 and is provided' with a tapered section 292 on whichla hub 294 is seated. Said hub isprovided with rearwardly extended bifurcated arms 296 between thel furcations of which outstanding fingers 298 are pivoted on pivot pins 380. Said ngers are provided with-radial grooves or slots 302 each of which fronts a sepai rate slot 290 of the. plate 288 to cooperate therewith in forming a channel within which successive staples are adapted to be receivedrand retained. The hub 294 is provided with a ring 304 between which and the several fingers 2981compression springs 306 are disposed which urge said fingers toward said plate 288 and therebyresiliently clamp the staples therebetween. The fingers are adapted to-yield outwardly against the action oi said springs during the insertion of staples between them and said plate. Said fingers are provided with forwardly extended lips 308 which are located under and are adapted to engage said ring 304 to limit the movement of the fingers toward said plate at times when no staples are Vengaged ,by the lingers. Said hub 294is secured to said shaft 282 by means including a nut 310 which is screw-threaded ontothe end ofthe shaft. Preferably, however, while saidhub has a normal positive drivingA connection with said shaft, the drivingf connection is adaptedl to slip, as by a lspring washer 311 interposed between said nut and web, if there is an unusual resistance to' the rotation of the hub occasioned by an incomplete staple driving or inserting operationV or kthe like in which event the grooves in the ngers become displaced from the grooves 288 andthev device refuses to accept Vfurther staples until the trouble has been cleared and the nger grooves realigned with the plate grooves.

The staples are formed independently of the present nechanisrn and are fed out of anoverhead hopper, not shown, down a guide track including the spaced parallel plates ,312 and .314, see Figs. l i3, with the prongs of all of the staples overlying the opposite sides of the plates 312 and the heads disposed in the space between plate: 312 and 314. The staples accumulate in a verticalsstaci; on and between said plates with prongs of the lowerrnost staple of the stack resting upon a pla-te 316 whichV is slotted between the pron The guide track is so disposed respect to' the rotatable staple holding nl 4"er 288 that when a channel 290 successive lowermost staples ofthe d foremost into the aligned w.. ich underlies thestaples of adapted to'be reciprocated tothe stack andis wards the right, see Figs. 1 and 13, to engage the head of theilowermoststaple and tto move the staple intofthe. engagement of the plate y288 and the fingers 298 and to move toward the-left into .a position to engageand advance a second staple. Said pusher 318 is pivotally carried by the lower end of a lever 320r and is urged` upwardly by` a spring, not shown, into operative relation with the staples,

staple guide plate 312 and has a bifurcated horizontallyfextended arm 3,24 that has a rocking engagement with one end of a lever 32,6. Said lever is pivoted to one end of a'normally rigidly supported lever 328 which ispivoted at 330 to the top of an lupstanding bracket 332 fixed to the base 42. Said lever 328is normally held yieldingly in the aforesaid position with an adjustablek stop member 334 thereof against an ear of said-bracket by a tensile spring 336,l the lever 326;-being adapted to be reciprocated to reciprocate `the pusher 318 for the purpose of delivering successive staples. ple or because of another reason undue resistance is offered to the movement k of the pusher, the: lever 328 is adapted to yield downwardly against the action of the-spring 336 and thereby function as a safetydevice in preventing the breaking of the lever system. Ihevfree, end of the lever 326 -is pivotally Yconnected through a link 338 with the upper en d of a slide member 340 which is recip- The-level` 320 is pivotedon a stud 322 secured to a supporting bracket for,` the- If either because of a defective sta- 38 in the foldedsaddle webby means including `a driver 346 which is disposedin the Aspace between the carrier 288 andthefngers 298 and under the .the tops or heads of the staples whenthey arein vertical position above theweb and drives them downwardly `out of the slots in the carrier plate andthe cooperating fingers-and in to the web.

`The spacing of the various elements of the machine Vis so `arranged thatthe web advances by the distance between two consecutive s ets of holes38 for each operation ofthe driver. -The carrier plate and its associated parts are rotated 90-during each advancing movement ofithe web sov as to position the staples in the successive slots into position to enter` the successive holes in the folded web. The staple carrier and the web advancing rolls Vand the rst and second sets of folding rolls, and also thexthird set'of folding rolls if these are positively driven, are advancedV usual construction that engages the Geneva wheel at times when the driving rolls are not engaged therewith for the purpose of holding the Geneva wheel stationary. The idler gear 3541s driven from a pinion gear 362 vfixed to ar shaft 364 journalled in a bracketkcarried by the -under- The idler gear is" side of the frame 42v and driven from the drive shaft 48 through a pair of bevel gears 366. The various web advancing and folding rolls are driven through the Geneva wheel. The shaft 282 has a spur gear 368 fixed thereto which drives an idler gear 370, see Fig. 1. `Said idler gear is in mesh with a large gear 372 that is journalled on a stud 374,'see Figs. l and 10, and has a pinion gear 376 fixed thereto. Said pinion gear engages the gear 216 of the lower one of the rst set of feed rolls and the gear 258 of the lower one ofthe second set of feed rolls. Said gear 216 of the first set of rollsrdrives an idler gear 378, see Figs. 1 and 6, rotatable on a stud 380 of the bracket 64 and said latter gear drives the gear 140 -of the lower web advancing roll. lIf the last folding rolls 262, 264 are positively driven, the drive shaft 276, see Fig. 11, has a gear 382 which-'meshes with an idler gear 384 journalled on a stud 386 carried by a side plate 172 of the bracket 174 and meshing with the lower gear 258 of the second set of folding rolls. With this arrangement all'rolls are advanced in'a step by -step manner in synchronism with eachother.

The web with a succession of-staples driven therein and appearing as illustrated in Fig. 22, advances from the last set of`folding rolls `over the guide 260a which while separate fromthe guide 260 is in effect a continuation thereof. The stapled web moves forwardly over said guide toia convenient severing position where the successive insulated staples are severedfrom theweb. `At

the severing position, the stapledweb is bent upwardly to spread apart the connected sections thereof at' the slits 54, as i's best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2a, so as to facilitate the entrance of the severing knife between the web sections. For this purpose, the stapled web passes from the guide 260a onto and upwardly along the inclined portion 388 of a guide 390', see also Fig. V15, which guide is secured to the upper'end of a standard 392, fixed to the base 42. The stapled web passes under the anvil 394 of a lever 396 which is pivf between the guides-26M and 390 and is carried by a Vslide 404, see Vespecially Figs. 1, 15 and 16, that is reciprocable in a guideway ofthe standard 392. Said Slide l404V has gear -teeth 406 onits rear face which mesh with the gear teeth of Y a reversing gear 408 pivoted on a shaft 410 journalled in saidstandard. Said gear also meshes with the gear teeth 412 of a second slide 414 which is vertically reciproc'able vin said standard-392 by an toward the knife during the severing operation,

'which a compression spring 426 bears Said mechanism includes a plunger 420 vertically slidable in a bracket 432 secured to and reciprocable with the slide 340 that carries the staple driver 346. Said plunger 420 has a collar 424 secured to the lower end thereof against thereby holding the plunger resiliently in its lowerniost position. At each down stroke of the driver 346, the plunger 420 is brought into contact with the anvil lever 396 and then is adapted to yield while maintaining its engagement therewith, thereby to hold the web securely on the guide `26011 and against the anvil. When the knife comes up against the web, the pressure of the knife can Vforce the anvil lever up against the action of the spring 426 but only until said lever is brought into engagement with a vertically adjustable stop member 428 which positively'holds the anvil stationary against the action of the knife so that the knife can cut through the unslitted portion of the web between the various sectionsA thereof. yDue to the spreading of the web sections after the slitted portions thereof, the knife is effective to sever the sections accurately since the inclined faces of 'the sections serve to guide the knife directlyv to the unslitted portions-of the web. This accuracy is maintained regardless of anyl small changes in the length of the web due to atmospheric and other conditions. If the web has'a tendency to position its slitted portions somewhat to the right (Fig. 1) of the line of the knife, the web can be moved backwardlyby the knife and buckle in advance of the last folding rolls and thereby permit an accurate severing operation regardless of minor changes in the length of the web between the stapling and severing positions. In practice, the machine is adjusted so that' any variation in length that might take `place from time to time is always such that the web can buckle between the staple drivingand severing positions.

The slitting of the web previous to the folding thereof facilitates the folding operation since the resistance to folding is reduced. rThe slitting also facilitates the severing operation by permitting the sections to be spread apart in the manner above described and further facilitates the sever- `ing operation since all of the unsevered portions of the web are horizontal in the folded web and i can be supported against the'anvil and thus there is no danger of crushing the web or the sections during the severing operation.

I claim:

1. The method of making insulated saddle staples Which comprises forming an insulating web into saddle shape, insertinga series of staples into the formed web, and subsequently severing 2. The method of making insulated saddle sta- CII ples which comprises forming an insulating web into saddle shape, inserting staples into the formed web and providing along length of formed web with staples therein, and subsequently severing-the stapled web between successive staples.

3. The method of making insulated staples which comprises forming an insulating web longitudinally into a general U-cross section, inserting a series of staples into the formed web, and subsequently severing the web between successive staples.

4. The method of making saddle staples which comprises forming a web into saddle shape, insertinga series of staples into the web with the prongs-thereof disposed between confronting sec- L ITI ' ing staples tions of the web, and subsequently severing :the formed web between successive staples.v

5. The method of making saddle staples which comprises folding a web'longitudinallyk to provide a middle longitudinal channel andouter channels ony opposite sides of said middlefchannel, insertin thek web with the prongs thereof traversing the outerchannels and vstraddlin'g the middle channel, and severing the web between successive'staples. I l 6. The method of making insulated saddle staples which comprises forming a lseries of per- `forations. longitudinally disposed in a rlat web,

forming the perforated web into saddle shape, inserting a series of staples in the perforations,

subsequently severing individual staplesp 7. The method of making saddle staples which comprises forminga series of perforations longitudinally disposed in a at web, forming the perforated web into saddle shape,y inserting aA series or staples in the perforation's, and severing the web between the staples.

8. The method of making saddle staples which comprises partially severing a web transversely the web, to partially separate the web into a plurality of saddle sections, f forming e the partially severed web into saddle shape, inserting a series of staples in the sections, and subsequently cornpletely severing the web between the sections.

ll. method or" making saddle staples which comprises partially severing a flat web transversely in a progressivemanner in a series of locations longitudinally disposed in the web, to form the web progressiveiyinto ajplurality of saddle sections, progressively forrning the partially severed sections into saddle shape, progressively inserting in the sections, and then completelysevering the sections from the web.

l?. Theniethod oi making saddle staples which kcomprises providing a web with partially severed ic led saddle sections, inserting staples in the and then completely severing thesections each other.

A13. The method of making saddle staples which comprises providing a flat web with a series ofv web and with transverse slits in the web between the periorations, forming the perforated and slit'web into saddle shape, inserting staples in the perforations, and severing the web betweenthe staples at the' slits. g

i4. The method of mating saddle staples which comprises forming a longitudinal series oi transverse slits in a web, perforating the web between consecutive slits therein, formingv the web into 'saddleshapa inserting staples in consecutive perrorati of the web, and severing the i. between s ccessive staples at slits. A

l5. The method of making saddle staples which comprises forming a succession ofspaced pairs of aligned slits transversely disposed in a the web between the perro-rations longitudinally disposed in the` web and inset from the marginsy thereof, the

succession of spaced pairs of slits extending lone gitudinally of the web, foldingthe slitted web across-the slits and disposing the unslittedpor-f tions of the web that are aligned with a pair or" slits in superposed order, inserting staples in the `web between the successive pairs of slits,v and severing the superposed unslitted portions of the web.

16. The method of making saddle staples which comprises forming Ya succession of spaced pairs of aligned slits transversely 'disposed ina web and inset from the margins thereof, the succession of spaced pairs of slits extending longitudinally of the web, folding the slitted web across theslits and disposing the unslitted portions ofthe web that are aligned with afpair of slitsin'superposed. order, inserting staples in the Webr'betweenthe successive pairs of slits rand with the prongs of the staples within the foldedL rpor-ti'on'sfof the web,"and severing the superposed unslitted portions ofthe web.

1'7. The rsmethod of making saddle staples which comprisesfor'ming a succession of spaced pairs of aligned slits transversely disposed in a web and inset fromthe'margins thereof, the succession of spaced pairs `oislits extending lungivtudinallyl of the web, perforatingtlie web be-w Vtween the successive Ipairs of slits, folding the slittedY and perforated web across Vtheslits and disposingin superposed-orde'r' the nnslitted poru tions of the yvvebthat areV aligned with a pair or" slits, inserting staples in the perfrations, and severing 'the superposed unslitted portions of the web, y

-18.*The` method" of makingY saddle` staples not' which comprises advancing -a web through a K forming position and formingthe web into saddle shape thereat, `adiancing theformed web through a stapling 'position and inserting a series of ystaples/inthe formed web, advancing the stapled web "to a severingposition and severing the web between successive staples, and constantly main-V taining latleast one staple thetormed web' between the forminegand vsevering positions so thatthe staple will retain the web informed oondition duringthe staple-inserting operation.-

19. The rmethod of j making saddleY staples which comprises partially transversely severing a web into a series of sections longitudinally posed along the web, 'forming the :web shape, Ainserting staples o saddle apart the sections, completely web between the spread sections.

20.`The `method Aor making saddle staples vwhich comprises forming a.'v iongitu '"ialsuccession of transverse slits in a web, folding the 'web the'partially severed f Y' sections, fre'flexing the led `web to spready severing vthe f across the slits, inserting staples in the web be tween successive* slits, reiiexing the stapled 'web rto spread the' slits, and severing the web between the spreadslits,V

2l. The method ofV saddle staples 'which'v comprises progressively folding a web lon gitudinally to provide a middle inverted channel rand upright channels'on: opposite sidesr of the 'middle channel, further-'folding the web byturn- Y l Ying the outer sides of the-outer chanr wardly toward each 'other and into. po

iwebjwith the prongs Vpassing through the -oirter on on top of the web'fof themiddle channel, inserting n succession of staples longitudinally spaced inthe comprises progressively folding a web longitudinally'to provide a middle inverted channel and outstanding marginal sections, further folding the web to bring the marginal sections in parallel relation and to form upright channels on opposite sides of the middle channel, further folding the web by turning the outer sides of the outer channels inwardly toward each other and into position on top ofthe web of the middle channel, inserting a succession of staples longitudinally positioned in the web with the prongs thereof passing through the outer channels, and severing the web between successive staples.

23. The method of making saddle staples which comprises forming a section of a web into saddle shape, inserting a staple completely into position in said formed section while said section remains connected to said web, and severing said stapled section from said web only after the staple has been completely inserted therein.

24. A machine for making insulated saddle staples comprising means for progressively forming an insulating web into saddle shape, means for inserting a series of staples into the formed web prior to severing the web between the staples, and means for severing the web between the successive staples. Y Y

25. A machine for making insulated saddle staples comprising means Lfor forming a section of an insulating web into saddle shape, means for driving a staple completely into position in the formed section, and means for severing the formed stapled section from the web only after the staple has been completely inserted therein.

l26. A machine for making saddle staples vcomprising a plurality of successively-acting web folding devices'r and a Y staple driving device,

nmeans for presenting a web to-:the successive action of said folding devices and thence to said staple driving device which inserts a series ofy staples in spaced relation longitudinally of the folded web, and means for severing the folded web between successive staples. v, Y

2'7. A machine for making saddle staples comprising means for forming a portion of a web into saddle shape, means for driving a staple in the formed portion of the web, and means for subsequently severing said formedstapled portion from the web. Y

28. A machine for making saddle staples comprising means for progressively. folding an advancing web, means for progressively inserting staples in the folded web, and means for severing the web between successive staples, said web sevr: ering 'means being so spaced from said staple inserting means that there are always a plurality of staples in the formed web between said spaced means. Y

29. A machine for making saddle staples comprising means for forming rows of perforations in and lengthwise of a Web, means for folding the perforated web, means for inserting a series of staples in the perforations of the folded web, and means for Vsevering the web between successive staples.

30. A machine for making saddle staples comprising means for forming a repetition of two pairs of aligned perforations in spaced relation in the opposite marginal portions and lengthwise of a flat web, means for folding the perforated web lengthwise thereof in a progressivevmanner, means for inserting a staple ineach two pairs of perforations, and means for severing the web between successive staples.

31. A machine for making saddle staples. comfor completely severing the successive stapled Y saddle sections.

32. A machine for making saddle staples comprising means for partially severing a web into saddle sections, means for folding the partially severed sections into saddle shape, means for inserting staples in the folded saddle sections, and means for completely severing the successive partially severed stapled saddle sections.

Y 33. A machine for making saddle staples comprising means for forming a repetition of two pairs of aligned perforations in spaced relation in the opposite marginal portions and lengthwise of a web, means for partially severing the web between each two pairs of perforations, means for folding the web into saddle shape, means for inserting a staple in each two pairs of perforations of the folded web, and means for completely severing the web along the lines of partial severance thereof.

34. A machine for making saddle staples comprisingv means for forming a repetition of two pairs of aligned perforations in spaced relation in the opposite marginal portions and lengthwise of a web, means for forming a repetition of a pair of aligned slits extended transversely of the web between each two pairs of perforations, means for folding the web longitudinally and across said slits, means for inserting a staple in each two pairs of perforations, and means for severing the web along the line of each pair of slits.

35. A machine for making saddle staples comprising means for folding a web longitudinally7 to provide an inverted longitudinal channel in the middle there-ofand upturned marginal portions, other folding means operative on the partially folded web to move said marginal portions toward each other to form upright channels on opposite sides of said inverted channel, additional olding means operative on the channeled web to fold the marginal edges of the web into confronting relation with each other and superposed above the web of said inverted channel, means for inserting staples in said folded web with the prongs in said upright channels and the heads overlying the confronting edges of the web, and means to sever the stapled web between successive staples.

36. A machine for making saddle staples comprising means for progressively folding an advancing web longitudinally to provide a longitudinal open channel in the middle thereof and closed channels on opposite sides of said open channels and with the marginal edges of the web disposed in confronting relation upon the bottom wall of said open channel, means for inserting a series of staples in spaced relation in and lengthwise of the folded web with the prongs of each staple extended through said closed channels and spanning said open channel and with the head of each staple overlying the confronting edges of the web, and means for severing the stapled web between successive staples.

37. A machine for making saddle staples comprising means for folding a fiat web longitudinaliy into saddle shape including a plurality of successivelyacting pairs of folding rolls from one to the other-of which the web is advanced and Vis folded in a progressive manner, means for inserting a series kof staples in the folded web', and means mi` sevenn'gthe-stapled web permanencia-the wives.A i

3a. A machinefor making saddle staples een prising perforating mechanism forfpi'ovidlng' a series of staple `receiving perforations ina flatweb, 'a succession of successivelyfactin'g'pairsof folding 'rolls for progresii/'elyv folding the perforated web intosaddle shape, stapling' mechanism for inserting staples in the'perforaticns' of the folded web, and severing mechanism fork severing the stapled port'ionsof the web 'from theweb. U -I i A394A machine for making saddle staples com- Vprising slitting and perforati'ng mechanisms for forming a series of alternatesli't's and perforae tions in a web, folding mechanism including a plurality of successively."acting-pairs .of folding rolls for folding the slitted and perforated web; longitlldinally into Saddle'shape, stapling mechanism for inserting staplesin the pinforations oi the folded'vweb, and se'verinff mechanism for'V severing thewe'b atand in line with'the suscessiveslltstnerein. f l l 40. A 'machine 'forrnaking saddle'staples in-A cluding folding rollers for folding a web longitudinally into saddle shape, stapling mechanism for inserting staples in the folded web, A'severing mechanism for severing the stapled web between successive staples, and web advancinggmecha? nism inoludingrollers which 'are infdriving en-l gagernent with Vthe web and which govern the advance ofthe webthi'ough said folding rollers and said stapling and severing mechanism.

41. A machine for making saddle staples comprising web advancing means including driving rollers which engage and advance a flat web, stapling mechanism through which the web is advanced, severing mechanism for severing the web between successive staples, and folding mechanism for folding the flat Web into saddle shape including folding rollers located between said web` advancing rollers and said stapling mechanism, `and means for driving said folding rollers, said web advancing rollers being in ccmplete control of the advance of the web at all times and there being a slipping engagement between the web and said folding rollers.

42. A machine for making saddle staples `comprising freely rotatable web-folding rollers, stapling mechanism for inserting staples in the folded web,severing mechanism for severing the web between successive staples, and web advancing means for advancingthe web to said mechanisms and for pushing the web through said folding rollers'.

43. In a saddle staple machine, the combination of stapling mechanism for inserting staples in a folded web, and means for folding the web into channel shapey including co-acting positively` driven rollers having xedly rotatable therewith` peripheral flanges which engage the middle part of the web, and other peripheral flanges that are freely rotatable and which engage and fold marginal portions of said web.

44. In a saddle staple machine, the combination of stapling mechanism for inserting staples in a-folded web, and means for folding the web comprising positively driven rotatablek elements for engaging between them a section of the web that is not to be folded andother freely rotatable elements for engaging and for folding other sections of the web and adapted to be rotated by the web. y y

45. A machine for making saddle staples comprising means for slitting a web transversely alonglines off'subs'enfilent severance; means for inserting staples Yin the webbetween slits thereof, andmeans includingaqsevering knife' adapted to; enter A the successive slits y an- 1 ccm-A pletely'severfthe'web. j

V4 6. A machine for making" saddleistaples inet ciudin'gfiiiecnanisia far providing a raided stapied web that is transversely slitted between successive staples, and mechanism ich severing individual saddlestaples from said'web including a severing knife, and means for vcausing said knife to enterv successive slits and seve'the web thereat.

Y A machine for making saddle staples ln'- cluding mechanism for providingv a folded stapled web that lis transversely lslitted between successive staples, fand vmechanisi'n for severing individual saddle staples 4from said ,stapledweb includingfaj severing knife arranged to enterthe successive ants 'in said-web and. sever fthe 4web"nitraat;and means to `spread open the successivej'sllts for 'ther entrancetherein'of said knife. r

48. `AY machine fer making saddle staples `ix'icluding mechanism for providing'ay folded Stapled web that is rtransversely slittedbetween successive staples, and mechanism frlsevering individuall saddle staples from said stapled webyincludlng' a severing knife arranged to' ailiery the successive slits in said web and sever the web thereat, and means to spread open the, successive slits for` the' entrance' therein of said knife comprising atrack along which said web is advanced, said track have, ing twoangularly Arelated sections, successively traversed by the web and said knife being locatedk at the junction of said track sections.

49. In a saddle staple machine, the combination of mechanism for folding av web into saddle shape, mechanism for driving staples into said web, mechanism for severing individual saddle. staples from said stapled web, and web driving and guiding mechanism including a pair of web 113l driving rollers located on opposite sides of the web and having peripheral grooves in the web engaging faces thereof, and web guiding plates engaging the web on opposite sides of said rolls and having parts which extend through said grooves on opposite sides of the web andare terminated at said folding mechanism to guide the web in straight condition through said webdriving rolls.

50. In a saddle staple machine, the combina-.125 tion of web-folding` mechanism including a pair of folding rollers having cooperating web-engag` ing flanges and other elements that fold the web at thesides of said flanges into channel shape, a track arranged in line with said flanges and 130 entering the channel of said advancing web, other folding rollers having flanges that are in line with said track and enter the web channel and.have other elements that fold the web at the sides of f said channel, a second track that is inline with the flanges of said other rollers and enters the web channel, a third set of folding rollers disposed on opposite sides of and having parts that overlie thevtop of said second track and fold the marginal edges of the Web over the channel elements, means to movevsaid carrierlto locate 1.50-v

successive staples in a staple driving position, and means to drive the successively located staples intos'addles. v f ,Y

52. In a saddle staple machine, stapling mechanism including a staple carrier having va plurality. of, staple-receiving elements, means to pre-formedstaples in successive manner in said elements, means to move said carrier to locate successive ,staples in a staple driving position, means to present successive portions of a saddle web to thesucc'essively located staples, and means to drive the successive staples into said web.

53. In a saddle staple machine, a stapling mechanism including a staple carrier having a plurality of staple-receiving elements, means to hold a stack of pre-formed staples, means to removesuccessive end staples from the stack and to insert .them in successive elements, means to advance said carrier to locate successive staples in 'delivery position, andy driving means which moves the. successive staples out of said elements.

' 54. In a saddle staple machine, stapling mechanism including a rotatable staple carrier having a plurality of staple-receiving slots, means to rotate said carrier in a step by step manner to position said slots successively in staple-receiving and staple-deliveringv positions, means to insert successive staples in. said slots when they are in staple-receiving position, and means to drive staples out of said successiveslots when they are in delivery position. t

y A55. In a saddle staple machine, stapling mechaccf nism comprising a rotatable carrier having a plurality of staple-receiving slots therein, a member rotatable with said carrier having a plurality of` spring-pressed ngers provided with staplereceiving slots aligned with the slots of said carrier, means for rotating said carrier and member in a step by step manner, means providing a lstacl: of staples, means for removing the successive end staples from saidA stack and for inserting them in successive slots in said ,carrier and ngers, and means for driving successivestaples out of said rotated carrier and fingers.

56. In a saddle staple machine, stapling mechanism comprising a rotatable carrier having a plurality of staple-receiving slots therein, a member rotatable with said carrier having a plurality of spring-pressed iingers provided with staple-receiving slots aligned with the slots of said carrier, means for rotating said carrier and member in a step by step manner, means providing a stack of staples, a reciprocating pusher for engaging and removing successive end staples from said stack and for inserting them between said carrier and said fingers, means for driving the successive staples out of said rotated carrier and fingers, and reciprocating mechanism for said pusher including a reciprocable member and a yielding connection between said member and pusher arranged to yield and prevent the reciprocation of said pusher upon undue resistance to reciprocation thereof.

GEORGE E.KRYAN. 

